Based on the findings of Kroll Associates related to the investigation on favoritism in UT admissions, the following came out of the report as was quoted in the Forbes article “University of Texas Investigation Exposes Admissions Secrets”, Feb 22, 2015.
“For applicants who anguish over the “lifetime goals” and “exceptional achievements” on their essays, the inside scoop is that the university no longer scores the essays on a scale of 1 to 6. Now you get either 1 for not proficient or a 2 for proficient.”
Interesting. I would guess this is true for the “first round” at many schools. But the second round and beyond will get close scrutiny. Beware.
Right, I assume this would apply to the PAI score calculation and not reviews for honors programs or other evaluations that do look heavily at essays.
This system seems a bit too simplistic to be used effectively in admissions.
Essays are just part of an overall PAI score. From the Kroll report:
"Personal Achievement Index. The Admissions Office also determines a Personal Achievement Index (“PAI”) for each applicant. The PAI is the holistic evaluation of an applicant. The PAI score includes an evaluation of the two required personal essays and the applicant’s demonstrated leadership qualities, extracurricular activities, honors and awards, work experience, community service, and special personal circumstances. The special personal circumstances considered include: the socioeconomic status of the applicant’s family and school, whether the applicant is from a single-parent home, whether languages other than English are spoken at the applicant’s home, the applicant’s family responsibilities, and the applicant’s race.
Other than the scores assigned to the two required essays, no numerical value is assigned to any of the individual components that make up the PAI. As race is a factor considered in the context of each applicant’s entire file, it may be a beneficial factor for minorities or non-minorities alike, depending on the applicant’s unique circumstances. Until recently, each required essay was read and scored according to a scale of 1-6 by one of many specially-trained essay readers who score essays based on the quality of the writing (essays are now scored on a scale of 1-2 regarding quality of the writing). The entire application, including the required essays and any supplemental information provided by the applicant (i.e., letters of recommendation, the optional essay, and resume), is then reviewed and assigned a “personal achievement score” (or “leadership score”) on a scale of 1-6. Full files are read by one of the senior readers. From the three scores (the two essay scores and the personal achievement score) a PAI is computed. The personal achievement score is given slightly more weight than the essays in the calculation. The purpose of reading entire admissions files is to determine the PAI. The “whole file” readers do not make admissions decisions at this point of the review, but simply assign a PAI score. The file reader does not make a judgment regarding academic strength when determining the PAI, as that is accounted for in the applicant’s AI. "